Unify Interior and Exterior

"The Secret Garden"

12"x12"

Watercolor and colored pencil on cardboard and paper

The goal for this project was to create an image that unified elements of the "outside" and in the "inside" into one piece of artwork. Some goals for the drawing were that it should not just be a window from the outside looking in, but a unified piece that incorporated both elements together in one environment. Another goal was to be able to turn the drawing at least 2 different ways to create a strong composition.

Some of the original ideas that I had did not work out due to them not fitting the previous marks. One idea I had was to unify the outside of a drawing with the inside. Essentially creating a piece where the sketch was incorporated into the final piece. I could not go through with my idea for this as I could not find a way to incorporate a composition that could be viewed multiple ways.

When searching for an idea, I talked with my sister and she recommended I draw some plants. I could easily incorporate elements of inside plants with outside gardening tools. Pictured above is some of my indoor plants that gave me inspiration for what kind of plants to put into my piece.

My process was pretty straight forward. I used watercolor to paint pictures of plants, specifically indoor plants that are likely to be found inside. I also used watercolor to make the pots and gardening supplies which added in the element of "outside" to the piece. I also used colored pencil to add in marks and texture to the plants, pots, and tools as needed. I decided to turn the square canvas into a diamond by tilting it because it would create a composition that could be viewed in three different ways, fulfilling that requirement.

All the individual pieces are glued on using hot glue which gives the drawing a 3D effect as the pieces of paper stand off of the page. I also made sure that some of the plants broke the border in order to create a more interesting look and composition. I was also very cautious of where I placed each plant, trying to alternate darker and lighter greens and putting the big plants in the back, gardening tools in the middle, small plants in the foreground, and pots at the bottom of the page, alternating the "inside" and "outside" elements and creating the most pleasing composition possible. The collage and 3D elements give this piece an extra of time which elevates the piece beyond a flat square drawing of some plants.

Ultimately, the idea behind the piece gave me the hardest time because it was hard to fill all the requirements, but once I knew what I was doing, it was pretty smooth sailing from there.